What does education mean to you? by Destiny

What does education mean to you? by Destiny - October 2022 Scholarship Essay

My goals in life have evolved due to my upbringing in two households that could not be more different regarding economic security. It seems like my dad has been in legal trouble ever since I was a baby. He believed that his only option for survival was to live a high life on the streets to secure his family's financial and physical well-being. My father and his family (his mother, his sister, his brother, and his nephew) were chronically homeless throughout my childhood, forcing us to play a deadly game of "musical houses" to establish stability. On the other hand, if I moved back in with my mom, we would be in a quiet area populated by retirees, and I wouldn't have to worry about finding a place to sleep each night. The first time I went to see my dad, I learned to compare my own life and the lives of my relatives for the first time, and I finally began to comprehend what it meant to be disadvantaged.

During each winter and spring break, I would visit my father's relatives in their hometown. My dad, grandma, and four cousins all lived in two bedrooms, and I learned a lot about the world by being there. In other words, I was no longer allowed the luxury of sleeping in peace. While my grandmother slept on the sofa or a chair in the corner of the room, my two cousins and I shared a bed. Since it would be difficult to feed a family of seven with just takeout or delivery, I had to eat whatever was in the home when my stomach started growling. Something that my grandma and aunt came up with was completely unfamiliar to me. Even if I paid for my own meal or beverage, I was not permitted to do so if there wasn't enough to go around. My younger cousin's wardrobe became a dumping ground for my misplaced belongings whenever it was time for me to return home to my lavish lifestyle. A more typical person in my position would have responded with hostility, but I've learned to put myself in their shoes. Instead, I decided to devote my life to assisting the poor and disadvantaged.

As I made the jump from middle school to high school, I became involved in several clubs and activities that would prepare me to become a transformative leader and speed up the development of my local and global society. With the knowledge and confidence I gain from these opportunities, I will be able to continue my education at a four-year institution where I can further develop my talents and find my academic and professional voice. Acquiring a degree is not only important to improving your quality of life. It is important to use the knowledge you’ve acquired from formal education to help others. It is because of this spirit in mind that I have co-founded a non-profit organization called Motivated Scholars in Progress. My organization's core purpose is to expose students from disadvantaged communities to pre-college opportunities that’s available at local colleges. To bring awareness to my organization, I’ve created social media content that provides my peers with scholarships and pre-college programs. I also assist high school students within my community with college applications and development of personal statements.
When I’m not mentoring my peers throughout the week, I tutor elementary kids in reading to help improve their reading proficiency. Throughout my educational journey, I have participated in many pre-college programs which exposed me to various post-secondary options which has allowed me to accumulate over 60 college credits. Such opportunities were never promoted at my local school which put many of my peers at a disadvantage. Because there are pre-college programs that start as early as 4th grade, I have promoted the College Reach Out Program (C.R.O.P.) with Florida International University, a program I was a part of throughout middle school. Lack of knowledge and resources are one of many reasons that more students do not have the same opportunity as myself. Prioritizing education is important in order to live a life of fulfillment and obtaining financial security in hopes of improving the social economic stability in underprivileged communities.